Cestrum flower: planting, pruning and varieties

Updated on 22 September 2026Published on 14 October 2019

Umbel-shaped panicles of tubular flowers hang from arching stems, and in Cestrum nocturnum they release a jasmine-like fragrance after dark, wave after wave from late spring to autumn. Give this shrub summer heat, plenty of light and a cool, frost-free winter — a veranda suits it well — and it flowers for months on end.

Cestrum at a glance
Name	Cestrum
Family	Solenaceae (nightshade)
Type	shrub
Height	3 to 10 feet (1 to 3 m)
Exposure	full sun, part sun
Soil	ordinary
Foliage	deciduous/evergreen (due to climate)
Flowering	late spring to autumn

Planting Cestrum

We recommend planting in spring.

Grow it in the ground if the climate is relatively warm. If not, plant in garden boxes with soil mix to bring them indoors in winter.

Propagation is through cuttings in spring on semi-hardened sprigs.

For Cestrum from seed, favor sowing in trays in spring.

Pruning cestrum

It doesn’t need any pruning. However, if you want to control its size or shape, go ahead and prune at the end of winter (make sure the last frost date has passed).

More severe pruning every 3 years will trigger a fresh bout of more vigorous blooming. In addition, branches will grow more dense and lush overall.

Learn more about Cestrum

Cestrum varieties — Flowers borne in panicles shaped like umbels

Cestrum uplifts us with a beautiful inflorescence, panicles shaped like umbels.

It stands apart from other plants thanks to its very agreeable fragrance.

It is an excellent plant to grow in a veranda.

Indeed, it needs heat in summer and a certain amount of coolness in winter, and lots of light.

Careful, toxic!

Cestrum berries are toxic, together with all other plant parts. Handle with care and teach your children and pets not to eat it.

Types of Cestrum

A few elegant types of Cestrum include:

Cestrum aurantiacum, also called ‘Jessamine’
Cestrum nocturnum, which releases a wonderful jasmine-like fragrance at night
Lastly, Cestrum elegans has beautiful arching stems loaded with flowers

Smart tip about cestrum

During the blooming phase, add liquid organic fertilizer every two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cestrum poisonous?

Yes. The berries are toxic, and so is every other part of the plant. Handle it with care when planting or pruning, and make sure children and pets know not to nibble any part of it.

Can cestrum be grown in a pot and brought indoors for winter?

That is exactly how to manage it where winters are cold. Grow it in open ground only if your climate is relatively warm; otherwise plant it in garden boxes filled with soil mix so it can come indoors for the winter. A veranda is ideal, since the plant wants summer heat, a degree of winter coolness and plenty of light.

When should cestrum be pruned?

It does not actually need pruning at all. If you want to control its size or shape, prune at the end of winter, once the last frost date has passed. Every three years a harder cut is worthwhile, as it triggers more vigorous blooming and denser, lusher branching.

How do you get cestrum to flower more?

Feed it while it is in bloom: add liquid organic fertiliser every two weeks during the blooming phase. A more severe pruning every three years also triggers a fresh bout of more vigorous flowering. Full sun to part sun and plenty of light keep the waves of bloom coming from late spring into autumn.

Images: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0: Matti & Megan
CC BY-SA 2.0: Dinesh Valke

Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.

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